Have you ever scrolled through your social media feed, looking at those perfect selfies and wondered how to take good pictures of yourself?
Or maybe you’re a photographer who doesn’t want to book a model every time you get an idea for a photo.
Perhaps you need a professional headshot for your photography business or want to practise a new technique before working with clients.
How to take good pictures of yourself
Here’s the thing: learning how to take good pictures of yourself isn’t as effortless as it seems but the good news is that you’ve found someone who has done all the trial and error and made all of the mistakes for you.
That’s me!
I have been shooting self portraits since I picked up a camera and I know all the tricks and tools, as well as the things you should avoid.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know on how to take good pictures of yourself. So, are you ready to become the star of your own photoshoot? YES, yes you are.
Setting up
Setting up your shooting environment is really important for capturing self-portraits.
By paying attention to backgrounds, lighting, and your overall setup, you’ll be able to take your photos to a professional level.
Let’s get into the key aspects of creating an ideal shooting environment.
Find flattering backgrounds
The background of your photo can have a big impact on your self-portrait.
You want to choose a backdrop that complements you and the overall theme of your image without overshadowing you as the main subject.
Here are some tips for finding flattering backgrounds:
Keep it simple: Go for clean, uncluttered backgrounds that won’t distract from you as the subject. Solid-coloured walls, plain fabrics, or blurred natural settings can work wonders.
Consider colour harmony: Choose background colours that complement your skin tone and outfit. Neutral tones like white, grey, or stone are versatile and work well for most situations.
Explore textures: Textured backgrounds like brick walls, wooden panels, or leafy foliage can add some interest to your photos without overwhelming them.
Use depth of field: If you’re shooting outdoors, try positioning yourself with some distance between you and the background. This allows you to create a bokeh effect, blurring the background and making you stand out.
Experiment with locations: Don’t limit yourself to indoor settings. Explore outdoor locations like parks, urban streets, or architectural elements that can serve as interesting backdrops.
Go bold: Or you can the opposite to keeping it simple and go bold, with a glittery/pastel/rainbow coloured backdrop to make your self-portrait super eye catching.
Remember, the key is to choose a background that goes with the mood and theme of your image.
Create a makeshift studio at home
You don’t need a professional studio to take great self-portraits. I don’t have a studio myself but I often shoot my self-portraits in my home.
With a little creativity, you can set up a makeshift studio right in your own home. Here’s how:
Choose a suitable space: Find a room with enough space to move around and set up your equipment. A spare bedroom, living room, or even a cleared-out corner can work well.
Set up a backdrop: Use a plain wall as a backdrop, or create one using a large piece of fabric, a bedsheet, or a roll of seamless paper. Hang it securely to avoid wrinkles or creases.
Arrange your lighting: Position your light sources to create the desired effect. You might need to experiment with different setups to find what works best. Or you can use a big window with lots of light and position yourself around it.
Use reflectors: Create or purchase reflectors to bounce light and fill in shadows. You can make DIY reflectors using white foam board or tin foil-covered cardboard.
Organise your props: If you plan to use props in your photos, arrange them nearby for easy access during your shoot.
Set up your camera or phone: Use a tripod or find a stable surface to position your camera or smartphone. Make sure it’s at the right height and angle for your planned shots.
Use natural lighting
Natural light is one of the most flattering and easiest light sources to work with for self-portraits and it’s also budget friendly because it’s free. Here’s how you can make the most of it:
Find the right time: The golden hours (just after sunrise and before sunset) provide soft, warm light that’s ideal for portraits. Avoid harsh midday sun, which can create unflattering shadows.
Position yourself near a window: Place yourself close to a large window for soft, diffused light. The larger the window, the softer the light will be.
Use sheer curtains: If the light coming through your window is too harsh, use sheer curtains or a translucent white sheet to diffuse it further.
Understand light direction: Side lighting can create dramatic shadows and highlight facial features, while front lighting is more flattering but can appear flat. Experiment with different angles to find what works best for you.
Reflect light: Use reflectors or white surfaces to bounce light back onto your face, filling in shadows and creating a more even illumination.
Be aware of colour temperature: Natural light can vary in colour temperature throughout the day. Morning light tends to be cooler, while evening light is warmer. Adjust your camera’s white balance accordingly or use it creatively for different moods.
Watch for mixed lighting: Be cautious when mixing natural light with artificial indoor lighting, as this can create uneven colour casts. Try to use one primary light source for consistency.
Use backlighting creatively: Positioning yourself with the light source behind you can create beautiful rim lighting effects. Just be sure to use a reflector or fill light to illuminate your face.
Experiment with artificial lighting
While natural light is fantastic, it doesn’t always cut it and at time might not even be available to you when you want to take a picture.
Artificial lighting gives you more control and consistency in your self-portraits. Here’s how to work with artificial light:
Invest in a ring light: Ring lights are popular for self-portraits because they provide even, flattering illumination and create attractive circular catchlights in your eyes. They’re especially useful for close-up beauty shots and the perfect option if you’re photographing makeup.
Try continuous LED/Video lights: LED panels and video lights provide constant light, making it easier to see the effect of your lighting setup before taking the shot. They’re available in various sizes and can be adjusted for brightness and colour temperature.
Explore off-camera flash: While more challenging to master, off-camera flash gives you the most control over your lighting. You can create dramatic effects by adjusting the flash’s position, power, and modifiers.
Use light modifiers: Soft-boxes, umbrellas, and diffusers can help soften harsh artificial light, creating a more flattering effect. Experiment with different modifiers to see how they affect the quality of light.
Create depth with multiple lights: If you have access to multiple light sources, try using a three-point lighting setup: key light (main light), fill light (to soften shadows), and backlight (to separate you from the background).
Play with coloured gels: Add creative effects to your portraits by using coloured gels on your lights. This can help set different moods or match specific colour schemes in your composition. If you don’t have coloured gels, you can use things like translucent sweet wrappers or sheer coloured fabric.
Practice with household lamps: Before investing in professional lighting equipment, experiment with household lamps. Floor lamps, desk lamps, and even fairy lights can be used creatively for interesting lighting. I love a good set of fairy lights for self-portraits!
Gear and accessories
The most important aspect of how to take good pictures of yourself, is the gear and accessories you have available to you.
These are the tools I most recommend:
Tripod
When you’re learning how to take good pictures of yourself, a reliable tripod is your best mate.
The majority of the time you’re not going to be able to hold the camera yourself, so having a tripod will help you set up your camera.
When choosing a tripod, consider the following factors:
- Weight capacity: Ensure the tripod can support the weight of your camera and any additional accessories.
- Height: Look for a tripod that can extend to your eye level or above for the best angles.
- Portability: If you plan to shoot outdoors or travel, opt for a lightweight, compact tripod.
If I’m taking phone selfies when I’m out hiking, then I will generally use a selfie stick that turns into a tripod.
Remote shutter
Remote shutters are invaluable tools for self-portraits and my favourite shooting accessory, allowing you to trigger your camera from a distance.
This means you don’t have to rush into position after setting a timer and it gives you more control over when the photo is taken.
Here are some remote shutter options to consider:
Wireless remote: These small, handheld devices use infrared or radio frequency to trigger your camera. They’re easy to use and often inexpensive.
Smartphone apps: Many modern cameras offer companion apps that turn your smartphone into a remote shutter. These apps often provide additional features like live view and adjustable settings.
Cable release: A physical cable that connects to your camera, offering a reliable and lag-free shutter release. This is ideal for situations where wireless options might be unreliable but the downside is, you have to be closer to the camera.
Voice-activated shutters: If you’re using a smartphone, it possibly has voice control, allowing you to trigger the shutter with a simple command (usually ‘smile’).
This is the one I use and it has served me really well over the past few years.
Posing
Posing for self-portraits will give you a new appreciation towards models and their jobs because it’s not the most natural thing in the world.
There is a lot to consider when posing, so if you want to learn how to take good pictures of yourself, having some posing knowledge is crucial.
Understanding Your Angles
One of the most important aspects of posing for self-portraits is understanding how different angles can affect the way you look in photos.
Each person has a unique face shape and body structure, so it’s essential to experiment with different angles to determine what works best for you.
A common tip is to avoid always facing the camera directly, as this can often flatten your features and the picture as a whole.
Instead, try turning yourself slightly to the side or tilting your head to create some more dimension.
When posing your body, consider experimenting with shifts in weight distribution. For instance, placing your weight on one leg can create a more relaxed, natural stance, as opposed to standing with your weight evenly distributed, which can look rigid or stiff.
To elongate your body, stand slightly to the side, and place one foot forward. This pose can make your legs appear longer and add movement to the shot.
Posing with hands
Posing with your hands can often feel awkward, but when done right, it can add a lot of life and expression to a photo.
Avoid letting your hands hang by your sides, as this can look unnatural.
Instead, engage your hands by having them interact with your body or the environment.
For example, gently touching your face, hair, or neck can create a more interesting look.
You can also use your hands to hold objects or props, which adds an element of storytelling to your self-portraits.
When placing your hands, keep them relaxed, as tense fingers can make the overall pose feel stiff.
Facial Expressions
Your facial expression is key to learning how to take good pictures of yourself.
Depending on the mood or theme of your photo, your expression can communicate a wide range of emotions.
It’s helpful to practice different expressions in the mirror beforehand to see how subtle changes in your eyes, mouth, and brows can alter your photo.
For a more relaxed and approachable photo, a soft smile or a neutral, gentle expression can work well.
For a more dramatic or intense photo, try narrowing your eyes slightly as if you’ve just seen someone key somebody else’s car.
Even when going for a serious or sultry expression, it’s essential to avoid looking too forced or rigid.
The key to good facial expressions is often subtlety – engage your eyes, and let your expression flow from there naturally.
Body Language and Posture
Your posture is important, especially if you’re taking full body portraits of yourself.
Good posture can make you appear confident and poised, while poor posture can detract from the image’s impact (unless your taking Halloween photos of course).
Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and chin slightly elevated to create a confident appearance. The key to elevating your chin is to push your chin out and then slightly down. Just remember: Out and down.
Body language also tells a story in self-portraits.
A relaxed pose, like leaning against a wall or sitting cross-legged, can look make you look more approachable, while more formal, upright poses suggest confidence.
Try to align your body language with the emotion or message you want to convey in your photos.
Incorporating Movement
One way to make your self-portraits more inspiring is to incorporate movement.
Instead of standing and looking at the camera like you’re having your mugshot taken, try subtle movements such as walking slowly toward or away from the camera, turning your head slightly, or adjusting your hair.
Movement adds life to your photos and can help you achieve more candid, natural-looking shots.
To capture movement effectively, consider using your camera’s burst mode or setting a faster shutter speed to avoid any unwanted blur.
Movements like twirling, stepping, or gently tossing your hair can bring some fun into your self-portrait.
Other good tips on how to take good pictures of yourself:
Watch a funny clip in your mind or recall a meme to get a natural smile: Posing with a stiff, forced smile can make photos look unnatural. Instead, think of something that genuinely makes you laugh or smile, like a favourite meme or funny video. This will help you relax and give you a more authentic expression.
Take lots of photos: Don’t settle for just one or two pictures. Take a bunch of ’em, try out different angles, facial expressions, and lighting options, and then pick the best. You’re more likely to get a great photo when you have several to choose from and you’d be surprised how quickly your expression changes from one shot to the next.
Use the environment to frame yourself: Look for frames in your surroundings, such as doorways, windows, or even natural tree archways, to create better compositions. This can help direct the viewer’s focus toward you.
Focus on your eyes: If your eyes are open in the shot, focus on them! Eyes are the most expressive part of a portrait and in the majority of cases, should be the most sharp part of your photo.
Edit lightly for a polished finish: After taking the shot, a little editing can go a long way. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and maybe do some colour toning, but avoid over-editing. Lightroom & Photoshop are my faves but even apps like VSCO offer tools that can enhance your photos while keeping them looking natural. The best piece of editing advice I can give you, is keep your skin tone… looking like your skin tone!
How To Take Good Pictures Of Yourself
I hope this guide on how to take good pictures of yourself will help you take the best self-portraits yet.
Now that you’ve learned how to take good pictures of yourself, it’s time to put them into action. Grab your camera, your tripod and remote shutter of choice, and start creating stunning self-portraits immediately 🙂
